Clayborn's absence leaves the Bucs thin along a line that might be forced into a scheme change. The Buccaneers' official site suggested a switch from the 4-3 alignment to a three-man front might emerge in the coming weeks.

Clayborn, the team's first-round pick in 2011, played all 16 games and recorded 7 ½ sacks as a rookie, the second-highest takedown total for a first-year player in team history.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is going to see increased traffic and havoc from blockers on the inside starting in Week 4. Ends George Johnson and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim will see more snaps, too, but Clayborn won't be easy to replace in Tampa Bay.